The 19-year-old super talent leads the defensemen's scoring league in SHL – 13 points (5 goals+8 assists) in 14 matches – and scored a solo goal against Färjestad last week that left the entire hockey-Sweden breathless.
But Hallam says that Sandin Pellikka, a junior player also last year, was never an option.
At the same time as Tre Kronor starts the season, the Junior Crowns are playing a tournament ahead of the World Junior Championship around New Year's and the talent has been selected for that.
It's customary for juniors to focus on the World Junior Championship before Christmas, but exceptions have been made.
Rasmus Dahlin was selected for the Karjala tournament as a junior in the fall of 2017 to play in the junior World Championship the following month.
All focus is on that performance (World Junior Championship) and trying to make it to Ottawa and win a medal.
"Awesome to see"
Hallam is impressed with Sandin Pellikka's fall.
Especially the attack and courage he has in his game with a good execution. It's awesome to see such a good player and the space he gets from coaches and the entire team in Skellefteå, he says.
Will it be Tre Kronor for him after the World Junior Championship?
It's a long way off, there are many names on that list and if you jump ahead to the World Championship, we'll have really good players there, then you have to be really good, says Hallam.
Pure SHL national team
The national team coach's Karjala squad is a pure SHL team and includes four debutants – two from the successful newcomer and series leader Brynäs:
Goalkeeper Erik Källgren and defenseman Victor Söderström.
The forward duo Oskar Steen, Färjestad, and Linus Weissbach, Frölunda, are also making their debut in the A-team.
However, hot NHL-returnee Jakob Silfverberg, Brynäs, is not included.
It's a long season. All signals he's sent since he came home are to do as well as possible in Brynäs and that's how he's played. We're starting here and in December, there will also be players from SHL, says Hallam.
In December, Hallam is flagging for a completely new team and in the February tournament on home soil in Globen, the best players will be selected.
Tre Kronor has a special season with both the regular national team season culminating in the World Championship on home soil in May, but also the four-nation tournament in North America with NHL players in February.
The Karjala tournament is played on 7–10 November in the Czech Republic and Finland.
Goalkeepers: Erik Källgren, Brynäs, Jacob Johansson, Timrå.
Defensemen: Victor Söderström, Brynäs, Oscar Fantenberg, Linköping, Henrik Tömmernes, Frölunda, Christian Folin, do, Jonathan Pudas, Skellefteå, Jesper Sellgren, Luleå, Mattias Norlinder, Modo, Filip Berglund, Örebro.
Forwards: Oskar Steen, Färjestad, Linus Weissbach, Frölunda, Joakim Nygård, Färjestad, Max Friberg, Frölunda, Emil Pettersson, Timrå, Pär Lindholm, Skellefteå, Anton Bengtsson, Rögle, Patrik Karlkvist, Örebro, Christoffer Ehn, Linköping, Andreas Johnson, Skellefteå, Jacob Peterson, Rögle, Filip Hållander, Timrå, Jonathan Dahlén, do, Pontus Andreasson, Luleå.
Tre Kronor's matches:
7/11: Czech Republic–Sweden (Karlovy Vary, 17.00).
9/11: Sweden–Switzerland (Helsinki, 12.30).
10/11: Finland–Sweden (Helsinki, 16.00).
